Overview

The English program seeks to develop perceptive and critical thinking abilities through the study of literature and the English language and to furnish creative and researched methods of writing to express these insights. The English major is balanced with attention to literature, language, and writing. Courses are taught by professors who are equipped to integrate biblical principles into the scope of literature and language study. English majors are thus prepared for graduate school and for careers in writing, publishing, editing, teaching English to speakers of other languages, and as librarians.

Courses

Examples of courses in this major:

ENG 3350 Modern American Grammar

A contemporary survey of English covering traditional grammar, structural linguistics, and transformational grammar. The course covers grammar and usage on a theoretical and explanatory basis, dealing as well in dialectology and the linguistic features of Black and Spanish-influenced English.

LIT 2140 English Literature II (1800 - present)

A continuation of the previous course, concentrating on romantic, Victorian, and twentieth century British poetry, fiction, and prose of each era and supplemented by pertinent novels.

LIT 2200 American Literature I (1600-1850)

A survey of the development of American literature from colonial times through revolutionist, romantic, and transcendentalist prose, poetry, and fiction up to mid-nineteenth century, augmented by select longer fictional works.

LIT 3280 Shakespeare

A study of the era, life, and works of this great literary master, with a close reading and video viewing of his histories, comedies, and tragedies, as well as a study of his other poetic contributions.

LIT 3600 Principles of Literary Criticism

A study with intensive concentration on the various theories and schools of literary criticism, such as formalism, new historicism, deconstruction, dialogism, and basic textual criticism, among others. Representative readings and application to selected texts are features of the course to provide the student with precise skills in explications of texts.

Faculty

The individuals who will challenge you to learn:

Paulette Sauders, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Chair, Languages, Literature, and Communication Department; Professor, English and Journalism

Education History

B.A. in English Education, Grace College; M.A. in English, St. Francis College; Ph.D. in Literature, Composition, and Journalism, Ball State University

About

Dr. Sauders joined the faculty of Grace College in 1965. Her main areas of expertise in literature are in C.S. Lewis, Shakespeare, and drama of all eras. She takes students every fall to Stratford, Canada, to see the plays at the Shakespeare Festival. She also takes students each spring break to England, visiting London, Oxford, Windsor, Stratford, Bath, Stonehenge/Salisbury, and Wales. She has presented papers at Taylor University's C.S. Lewis & Friends monthly meetings,as well as at their biennial C.S. Lewis & Friends Colloquium. She advises the school newspaper, the Sounding Board, and does editing work both for Grace College and for outside organizations and individuals.

Frank Benyousky, B.A., M.A., M.Div.

Associate Professor of English

Education History

About

Prof. Benyousky joined the Grace College faculty in 1985. He specializes in English Renaissance and C. S. Lewis, has written on George MacDonald, and has completed advanced studies in communication at Notre Dame. Prof. Benyousky Directed the Grace College Prison Extension program 1989 - 2005.

Lauren G. Rich, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of English

Education History

B.A. in English, Baylor University; M.A. in English (in passing) and Ph.D. in English, Twentieth Century British and Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame

About

Dr. Lauren Rich joined the Grace faculty in 2014 as assistant professor of English. She previously worked for several years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Notre Dame. She has taught a variety of courses in the past, including a course she designed called "Voracious Reading: Four Centuries of Food and Fiction". Her personal interests include collecting vintage cookbooks, experimenting in the kitchen, and gardening. She and her husband, Brandon, have two children, Jonah and Margot.

Careers

Some of the positions you can obtain:

Editor

Directs and coordinates activities of writers engaged in preparing creative, technical, scientific, medical, or other material for publication. Analyzes developments in specific fields to determine need for revisions, corrections, and changes in previously published works.

Librarian

Working within a library system provides many opportunities to serve as a resource for library users and researchers. In addition to being specialists in the care and cataloging of books and online databases, librarians provide a variety of services to the public, often functioning as educators and community leaders. Administrative positions are available with further graduate study.

Freelance Writer

Contract with organizations to provide writing services that are creative, insightful, and/or technical, and always tailored to the marketplace. Remain up to date on current trends in the field in which they write by being a continuous learner.

ESL Teacher

ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers are in high demand today in U.S. cities/towns and around the globe in nearly every country of the world.

Testimonials

What others are saying:

During my time at Grace, some of my favorite classes were in the English program. As an English Education major, I was able to experience the best of both worlds by taking English and education classes. I know that the English classes prepared me well for the teaching world. During my student teaching semester, I referred to my notes and knowledge from the many English classes I took, including American Literature, Modern American Grammar, Shakespeare, and Adolescent Literature. These classes, and my professors, helped me feel prepared to teach literature, grade essays, encourage students to read, teach grammar, and focus on the students as people. In this department, the professors care to know you as a person. They are willing to meet with students one on one to help with the class. By the time I graduated, each professor knew me for who I was, not only academically, but they asked after me and my life. As one who chose this college because I didn't want to just be a number on a roster, that had immeasurable value. At Grace, you are prepared to be competent in whichever career field you choose, your professors care about who you are as a person, and you are encouraged to not only grow in your knowledge mentally, but also to develop who you are, your character, and then to give back to others in service.

—Katie Graham, English Education, 2013

As an English Education major, I loved that the English classes taught me to stretch my mind and respectfully debate ideas with others, while the education classes helped me learn how to nurture and lovingly challenge students. I was confronted with diverse beliefs in the literature we read that presented a challenge to me, yet my professors gently pointed me towards truth. This is the kind of teacher that I want to be.